Celebrity Cruises has announced that on Monday, September 21, the company wrapped up its 2026 President’s Cruise on the Celebrity Xcel.
The ship welcomed Captain’s Club members on an elevated, eight-night vacation through Greece, Turkey and Malta.
The annual cruise offers an array of exclusive shore excursions, special events and unique experiences only available on the President’s Cruise, Celebrity said in a statement.
The company added that the cruise was a unique opportunity for Celebrity Cruises’ loyalty guests to spend time with its president, Laura Hodges Bethge, and executive team, while mingling with fellow Captain’s Club members.
Highlights of Celebrity Cruises’ 2026 President’s Cruise included the following:
Before sailing, the festivities began at the 2026 President’s Cruise City Stay experience, where guests enjoyed a private tour of the Benaki Museum and were welcomed to the 2026 President’s Cruise Gala Dinner at Divani Palace Acropolis.
The week began with a Sail Away event at the Celebrity Pool Club. The celebration featured entertainment from Opa! Festival and a show from The Bazaar.
Throughout the week, guests enjoyed surprises onboard, including performances from recording artist Will Martin, Triple Threat – with The Voice finalist Omar Jose Cardona, the flamenco group Los Vivancos, the Tree Gees, a Bee Gees tribute band and a rock performance from Captain Kyriakos “Kirk” Matragkas.
At Conversations with Celebrity, guests learned more about Celebrity’s upcoming launches.
Guests and Celebrity Cruises’ chefs teamed up to create dishes, and President Laura Hodges Bethge, Senior Vice President of Marine Operations Manolis Alevropoulos and Senior Vice President of Hotel Operations Michael Goldner crowned the winning dish.
Ashore, excursions led by Celebrity Cruises executives included a private exploration of a new archaeological site in Ephesus, a cooking class with a local chef in Mykonos and a private wine tasting at a small farm in Malta.
Onboard, guests joined as President Laura Hodges Bethge led a private tour of Celebrity Xcel’s seven new spaces.
In Santorini, loyalty guests enjoyed a one-of-a-kind private event at Santo Winery, where they savored a meal as the sun set over the caldera. Back onboard, guests enjoyed a drone show.
Guests can already book to be a part of Celebrity Cruises’ 2027 President’s Cruise on May 10-14, 2027, and be among the first to experience 13 new spaces on the renewed Celebrity Reflection.
